asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to report on the complaints made regarding A.T.S. conditions in Egypt.

The complaints made in the letter of my hon. Friend forwarded to me have been investigated and I will, with permission, circulate a detailed answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Were the allegations true or not?

Some were untrue, some were exaggerated and some were true.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can make a statement on the progress of British troops in their advance on Mandalay.

I will, with permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Are there now available the fullest facilities for war correspondents to send uncensored reports, particularly with regard to British and Indian Regiments?

To the best of my belief, yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of units due for repatriation where officers have been told they will be refused repatriation at the same time as their men; and whether he is satisfied that this practice is in the best interests of the Service.

I have read the letter on which my hon. Friend has based his Question. It raises the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Chesterle-Street (Mr. J. J. Lawson) on 17th October last, and I would refer him to the answer I then gave.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men over 50 years of age now being released from the Army are only entitled to two weeks' pay and allowances whereas those eligible for Class A general release will be entitled to eight weeks' pay and allowances; and whether he has any proposals to make to remove the sense of grievance which this disparity has induced.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary in the course of the Debate on the Adjournment on 16th March.

Does that mean that the matter is going to be carefully considered?

That is what I have said on three occasions in this House and what the Financial Secretary repeated on 16th March.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that many hon. Members, if not all, will regard it as most unfair if any man released from the Services, whatever his age, is excepted from the 56 days' leave arrangements?

That may be so, but I do not agree with that view. There are a certain number of cases who are released on conditions which do not justify the grant of 56 days' leave. On the other hand, as I have said, this particular case is at present under discussion.

When is this consideration likely to be completed?

As I am not a dictator in this matter, I cannot possibly say.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether adequate facilities are provided to personnel about to be discharged from the services on medical grounds to inform themselves as to the disabilities entitling them to pension, so that they can ask for particular examination with a view to submitting a claim prior to discharge.

Claims are not limited to any specific disabilities but may be founded on any disability whatever which is accepted as attributable to war service or aggravated by it. Before a man is discharged on medical grounds he is given an opportunity for drawing attention to any disability from which he suffers and a report on his condition is then sent to the Ministry of Pensions. I am not aware that further arrangements are necessary.

Will similar rules apply to those discharged on other than medical grounds?

I think so, but I would like to have notice in order to give a considered answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the educational establishments in the county of Kent requisitioned by his Department; and when any of these are likely to be de-requisitioned.

A list is being compiled and I will send it to the hon. Member. It will, I regret, be necessary to keep many of the schools for some time to meet essential military needs, but individual schools will be released from time to time, and, in any case, as soon as circumstances permit.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the county of Kent has suffered more at the hands of the enemy than any other county, and will he give it special priority in the matter of de-requisitioning?

Yes, Sir, but I do not see why my hon. Friend should class the action of the War Office in the same category as enemy action.

It is practically the same.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the troop training areas that were taken over under Defence Regulations for the U.S. forces in Berkshire and the neighbouring counties may now be altogether released, and instructions issued that fences that were cut and prepared for A.F.V. movements be now repaired and replaced so that farmers may be able to keep livestock and carry on normal farming.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." Requirements for training areas are, however, kept constantly under review, and these areas will be released as soon as conditions permit. It some areas it has been possible to discontinue armoured training, but they have been retained for infantry training. Repair parties have been, and are continuing to carry out the work of making good damage to fences in these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for War what instructions have been issued to district claims officers in regard to arranging for the removal of defence works, dismantling of any erections for troop training, and the restoration of fences and buildings that have been interfered with and which impede agricultural work, so that farming operations may be no longer hampered; and whether the retention of these areas for purposes other than those for which they were requisitioned may be reconsidered.

The normal practice in the case of land requisitioned for training is to pay compensation under Section 2 (1) (b) of the Compensation Act on derequisition. But if a large requisitioned area has been so severely damaged as to make initial restoration impracticable by the former occupants, and if the restoration of the area to agriculture is necessary in the national interest, arrangements are concerted with other Departments for such minimum repairs to be carried out as will allow the occupants to resume their activities. Claims arising from damage caused on land used for training under Defence Regulation 52 are considered by district claims officers who are located throughout the country. In appropriate cases they pay compensation. As regards the removal of defence works, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Wing-Commander James) on 27th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that his Department retains possession of the farmhouse, at a place of which he has been informed, as a dormitory for officers; that, while suitable alternative accommodation is available for these officers, the farmer and his family, six in all, are deprived of their house and crowded into a two-bedroomed bungalow needed for a workman; and if he will take steps to release this accommodation.

This farmhouse forms an essential part of a block of accommodation for which there is a definite military commitment. There is, I am informed, no suitable alternative. If, however, the hon. Member can give me details of the alternative accommodation he mentions I will certainly have the matter investigated again. Incidentally, I understand the farm was bought by its present owner after it had been requisitioned.

Is the Minister aware that after these officers leave in the morning for their duties the house is unoccupied for the rest of the day until late at night, when these officers come back to sleep, while the people working the farm are short of that accommodation all day long?

Officers are entitled to somewhere to sleep and somewhere to have their meals.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the apprehension of young men on the Western Front that at the end of hostilities there they are to be sent direct to the Eastern war; and whether any arrangements have been made that men so posted will have a period of leave at home and special leave in the event of their desiring to marry.

In answering a Question on this subject on 4th October, the Prime Minister said "We shall do the very best we can." That promise, of course, stands.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is causing great disturbance of mind to many people in the Services on the Western. Front to think that they might be sent to Burma without having the opportunity of coming home, and that it would give a good deal of contentment if some announcement were made?

An announcement was made on 4th October, and I hope that, in view of the answer, my hon. Friend will do his best to disseminate the good news.

To say that the Government will do the best they can is a very nebulous reply, and means nothing at all.

On the contrary, it means a great deal.

asked the Secretary of State for War why on 23rd February, 1945, every N.C.O. and private in a certain battalion which a fortnight earlier had removed from Clacton to Felixstowe had 2s. deducted from his pay for barrack-room damage at Clacton; and why this punishment was inflicted on men who had never been to Clacton owing to absence in hospital, etc.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for calling my attention to this case. The total amount in respect of barrack damages to be collected from the men of this unit under Section 138 of the Army Act was correctly assessed. Some of the men who were called upon to pay a share have, however, been found not to have been at Clacton at all during the period in question. The amounts are being refunded to them and their accounts are being adjusted.

Will they get interest on the money?

I think that the War Office, as well as the law, does not care about minima.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether adequate facilities are provided for personnel to inform themselves of the necessity to obtain the special label A.F.W. 5192 issued and countersigned by an officer of the unit in which the sender is serving before sending home a parcel free of customs duty and purchase tax.

As far as I am aware the answer is, "Yes, Sir."

Is my right hon. Friend aware that numbers of parcels are coming home on which the recipients have to pay sums far in excess of the value of the contents, which is a considerable hardship, and could he take steps to prevent this?

The only possible way in which that can be prevented is to give soldiers serving abroad unlimited freedom to send home parcels duty free, and on that question the Chancellor has given answers in the House from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a per capita grant is paid to the various officer cadet training units annually under the heading of amenities; and, if so, how much.

Yes, Sir. A grant of 3d. per cadet per day is payable to all Officer Cadet Training Unit messes for the provision of amenities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the report of the inquest at Derby on Private David William Craig; and whether he has any statement to make.

I am investigating this case and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the position as to pay and demobilisation of men transferred to the Army from the R.A.F.

All their reckonable service in the R.A.F. will count when their age and service groups are being calculated and they will be eligible for release with these groups under the normal rules. They receive the same rate of pay as they were receiving in the R.A.F. before they transferred and in general will retain that rate as a vested right unless and until the appropriate rate of pay under Army Regulations becomes more favourable.

asked the Secretary of State for War why no self-destroying ammunition has been made for:43, mm. Hispano-Suiza guns used for anti-aircraft defences; and whether, in consequence, the ban on the use of these guns shooting over land is still being maintained.

This gun is no longer used by the Army for A.A. defences.

I know, but may I ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that I put this Question down to the Minister of Aircraft Production, who is responsible for the production of this gun? May I also ask whether the Secretary of State for War is responsible for the R.A.F. Regiment?

Certainly not.

That was the point of my Question. Is the Minister aware that thousands of guns used by the R.A.F. Regiment have been rendered futile because no self-destroying ammunition has been issued?

Will the hon. Member put the Question down to the proper Minister, and not to me?

Is not the Minister aware that I did?

asked the Secretary of State for War if parents are given railway tickets at reduced rates to enable them to visit their wounded sons in hospital.

Yes, Sir. Under a concession granted by the railway companies, railway tickets, at reduced rates, for the journey to and from the hospital are available for parents and certain other relatives of members of the Forces lying ill or wounded in hospitals in the United Kingdom. If the patient is dangerously ill free travel at public expense to the hospital is admissible for two persons, one of whom must be a relative.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the new rule governing the discharge from the Forces of men disabled owing to war service does not apply to those suffering from tuberculosis.

Most of the sanatoria in this country are run by the civilian authorities, and Service patients are transferred there as soon as arrangements can be made, so that they can receive the prolonged special treatment they need. These sanatoria do not admit patients who are in the Services and they are therefore discharged before admission.

While realising that this procedure was administratively more convenient, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the psychological considerations were also borne in mind sympathetically?

If the hon. Member is talking about psychological considerations perhaps he will address the question to some other Minister. [An HON. MEMBER: "Which one?"] If it is a condition made by those responsible for these hospitals that they will admit only civilian patients, there is no alternative but to discharge the Service men from the Service before they can be admitted to those hospitals for the treatment they need.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in order to encourage political education in the Forces in preparation for the General Election, he will consider devoting an issue of the A.B.C.A. bulletin to an objective outline of the policies of the various political parties and schools of thought, with a balanced indication of the main arguments for and against each point of view.

No, Sir. I do not believe it is within the capacity of any human being to encompass objectivity over so wide a field.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that any competent group of Lobby correspondents, or other political journalists, could do this job easily in a couple of days?

That is a matter on which there is room for a legitimate difference of opinion.

Can the Secretary of State assure the House that no obstruction is put in the way of persons who hold different political views from his own, presenting them to the troops?

That is a very different question and raises very wide issues of principle, so perhaps the hon. Member will put it down.

If the Minister thinks that objectivity is impossible would he have any objection to a partisan outline?

The Fighting Services have a very important war on their hands, without indulging in secondary wars.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, where soldiers, who before the war were skilled building operatives, are no longer required upon their present duties, he will discharge them to civil life instead of retraining them for alternative branches of the Army.

Most of the skilled building operatives in the Army are serving in their trade but nevertheless the Army remains very short of them. I think it is unlikely that it will be possible to release any to civil life at this stage of the war except under the arrangements already in force for releases on grounds of national importance.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise there is need for a real scrutiny of the way in which these men are employed? I have particulars of a plumber who is occupied in cleaning roads.

I am quite prepared to be convicted on individual cases, but one swallow does not make a summer. I am quite prepared to maintain that, in general, the Army is not misusing its men.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the arrangements for the transportation of B.L.A. leave troops on their return to their units are as effective as when they go on leave.

The assembly and despatch of troops returning to the Continent take place under circumstances which differ greatly from those of the journey to this country, and a comparison is not easy. But I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the arrangements are continuously under review and everything is done to make the journey as quick and comfortable as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the arrangements to inform relatives of British troops in hospitals belonging to other United Nations on the Continent, of their condition or after their demise; and whether he is satisfied that these arrangements are working smoothly.

There have been arrangements since the beginning of the campaign on the Continent whereby reports of casualties to officers and men of our Forces admitted to Allied military hospitals are sent to the appropriate British military authority, for transmission to this country. The precise arrangements depend on the casualty reporting procedure of the other Government concerned. There have been a few cases in which the arrangements have not worked smoothly, and they are being examined, with a view to improved performance in future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether some relaxation can be made in the existing regulations to enable remittances to be made to Italian women of British birth out of their assets in this country.

Yes, Sir, I have now authorised such remittances to be made to British-born women who have acquired Italian nationality by marriage, provided that their conduct has not been opposed to the interests of the United Nations. These payments will be on the same scale as for British subjects resident in Italy.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total number of German prisoners captured by the Allied Forces from September, 1939, to the latest available date.

About 1,500,000, excluding those taken by the Red Army.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these are detained in this country?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many residential houses in Swindon are being retained by his Department for the use of Italians.

Four houses, and rooms over four shops at Swindon, are at present being used to accommodate Italian prisoners of war who work in a nearby military depot.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable feeing in Swindon over this affair because of the great discomfort suffered by families of soldiers, sailors and airmen owing to shortage of accommodation? If there is any discomfort to be suffered, cannot it be suffered by Italians rather than by the families of Servicemen?

I quite understand all that and appreciate it, but the fact remains that certain work has to be done and there is not British personnel available to do it. It has, therefore, to be done by Italians, and under the Prisoners-of-War Convention they have to be housed somewhere.

Why cannot the Italians be put into tents?

I will certainly consider that, but under the terms of the Convention they have to be given the same sort of accommodation as British depot troops are given.

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of the total number, respectively, of German and of Italian prisoners of war in Britain are usefully employed.

Over 97 per cent. of the Italian and 25 per cent. of the German prisoners of war in this country are usefully employed.

In view of the great shortage of man-power in this country would it not be possible to employ more Germans?

To the best of my recollection there is a Question later on the Paper about the escapes of German prisoners. One of the reasons why there is a certain number of escapes of prisoners, is that we are attempting to use them on useful work in conditions where they cannot be guarded 100 per cent.

How does the number compare with the percentage of our men who are made to work in Germany?

I cannot say without notice.

Has the Minister any information as to the relative value of the work of Italian and German prisoners?

Yes, Sir, I have, but wild horses would not drag it from me.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any attempt has been made to give occupation to prisoners of war in the trade they followed before the war.

I have been asked to reply. Prisoners of war have been employed in general on unskilled work but arrangements have recently been made by which Italian prisoners have been specially selected for work in connection with the repair of bomb damaged houses because of their previous experience.

Surely there are any number of these men who are carpenters, builders, or plumbers in civil life who might long ago have been employed on the repair of houses?

How many have been so employed?

All I can say is that number are being so employed.

How many?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of German prisoners of war who have escaped from camps in Britain.

The number is 420. Four of these are at large now.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the organisation is as good as it ought to be? Are the Commandants properly selected? Is there any system of inspection of these camps?

Yes, Sir, I am satisfied with the organisation, but what I am not satisfied with is the availability of manpower. Obviously I could guarantee a very great reduction in the number of these escapes if two conditions were fulfilled. One is that we should have a lot more man-power to spare to guard the camps, and the other is that the conditions under which German prisoners work should be tightened up. The hon. and gallant Member just two minutes ago pressed me to make more German prisoners available for work.

Does the Minister realise that my Question was, how many escapes there were from the camps?

The answer given covers escapes altogether. Obviously, if people are out of the camps all day, opportunities for making escapes are very much greater.

Is not the Minister aware.that his Financial Secretary indicated in the House some weeks ago that a special inquiry had been set up to find out why recent escapes had taken place, and he said that a report would be made?

To the best of my recollection, the answer was given not some weeks ago, but some days ago, and it concerned a rather large escape at one particular camp.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the compulsory posting of women in the auxiliary Services overseas he will ensure that full information regarding the British nationality laws which deprive British women of their nationality on marriage to aliens of certain countries will be clearly explained to every woman before embarkation.

I have this under consideration.

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether it would be still better to ask the Cabinet to change these objectionable laws, which are inconsistent with the principles of English law?

Perhaps the hon. Lady will address that question to somebody else. It does not come within my province.

If one of these girls marries a foreigner, and remains in the Service, will she automatically lose her nationality?

As to the law, perhaps the hon. Lady will put a Question down. I am not sure that is a matter for. me.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say if he will move for the setting up of a Select Committee on the pay and expenses of Members of this House.

My right hon. Friend does not consider that a Select Committee would be the appropriate way of dealing with this question. Representations have, however, been received and the matter is being looked into.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask when he expects he will be able to make a statement to the House, as to the outcome of those deliberations?

I am afraid that I cannot say, but I will let my hon. Friend know when there is a possibility.

Is the right hon. Member aware that a large number of people in this country fail to understand why Members of Parliament do not allow themselves expenses which any firm allows to its employees for reasonable work?

Would the Deputy Prime Minister also recognise the danger of turning Parliament into a sort of deliberative Civil Service?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, if, in view of the increased burden of correspondence now falling on honourable Members of this House and the fact that all letters written by them within the Palace of Westminster are assumed officially to be written for a public purpose, he will authorise the franking of all such letters.

No, Sir. The question of affording free postal facilities to Members of Parliament was considered in 1940, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. and gallant Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 19th November, 1940.

Can we take it that my right hon. Friend meant what he said fast week when he said that all these letters are assumed to he written for public purposes? If so, what is the reason for not mitigating this great and increasing burden?

As the hon Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) so helpfully indicated last week, I was referring to paper and not stamps, and I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the fact that assumptions are of two kinds, unsound and sound, wise and unwise.

In view of the impression created by my right hon. Friend in his reply last week, not deliberately, of course, will he make it quite clear that hon. Members have to pay for their own postage? Would he also make a suggestion to the public that those people outside an hon. Member's constituency who correspond with him might be good enough to send a stamped, addressed envelope?

I shall be very happy to endorse both the hon, Member's statements.

Is it not a fact that correspondence from a constituency imposes a very great financial burden on an hon. Member? If it be thought that such a concession as this might be subject to abuse, would it not be possible for the House of Commons Post Office to ascertain the number of letters received by an hon. Member and to make provision for a corresponding number of free frankings?